Royal Heating & Air: November 2017

Friday, November 17, 2017

Common Winter Heat Pump Problems

First things first, let’s start off with what exactly a heat pump is. A heat pump works like an air conditioner in reverse, it absorbs heat from the air outdoors and it transfers it into your home. A furnace on the other hand, typically uses natural gas to create heat for your home. While a furnace and heat pump both make the house warm and cozy, these two are very different. The air outside is cold so you may be wondering how a heat pump extracts heat energy from such cold air. This is where the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics comes into play. That 2nd law states that heat flows from hotter to colder bodies. When the temperature of the refrigerant that flows through the outdoor condenser coils is lower than the temperature of the outside air, it is able to pick up heat and then bring that heat into your home. Royal Heating & Air knows that a heat pump is one system that functions as two. It works as both a heater and an air conditioner. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks has solutions for some common winter heat pump problems.

Winter Heat Pump Problems and Their Solutions

Not Enough Heat

Some may be surprised to learn that the heat generated by heat pumps is not nearly as strong as the heat that is generated by furnaces. For heat pumps, this is normal. The heat may not be as strong, but heat pumps generally distribute heat more evenly throughout your home. They also run longer at a more sustained level, which means you don’t have to turn them off and on as much.

Heat pumps do have a harder time extracting heat from extremely cold environments. This means that most heat pump owners need a supplemental heating system to stay warm. Most people will install a furnace to supplement their heat pump.

Outdoor Unit is Iced Over

If your outdoor condensing unit is iced up, airflow will be severely restricted. This will result in a struggling unit that could cause severe damage. If the ice is light, it will more than likely go away in a short period of time. However, if the ice remains for a significant period of time, it’s a problem you will want to address quickly.

The most common solution to a frozen heat pump is running the defrost cycle. The defrost cycle normally turns on automatically at timed intervals or when the unit detects frost, however, some units have a defrost option. The defrost cycle essentially reverses the heat pump into air conditioning mode so that it can pump heat to the outdoor unit until it unfreezes. The defrost cycle usually only runs for 10-15 minutes.

Most people don’t want cold air blowing on cold days, so many will opt for a supplemental heat system. This usually means electric resistance heat strips, which keep the air warm. After about 15 minutes, the heat strips will turn off and the heat pump will come back on. If the defrost cycle isn’t thawing your iced over heat pump, try these steps:

Check the air filter and replace if needed. Clean air filters improve airflow and the quality of your indoor air.
Make sure that there is no large debris near the unit that may be blocking the airflow. It’s a good idea to always maintain a 3-foot clearance around the unit.
If you notice that there is no air flowing from your vents, you may have a malfunctioning blower motor. You can try setting the thermostat to “fan” to see if the blower motor or a related component is at fault.

Buildup of any ice on your condenser unit is never a good sign. If the solutions above do not work, prevent any further damage to your unit by contacting the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Constantly Running Heat Pump

It is possible that too much cold air is getting into your home and the heat pump just can’t keep up. If you haven’t winterized your home, it’s not too late to do so. Here are some helpful tips:

Make sure your doors and windows are closed and well-insulated. If you notice air leaks around any doors or windows, replace the weatherstripping.
Inspect insulation levels.
Double-paned storm windows help retain heat. For a more inexpensive option, you can use energy-efficient thermal curtains to improve your windows insulation.

No Air or Cold Air

It’s important to make sure all of your vents are open to allow proper air movement. It’s never a good idea to close vents to try to keep the heat in one area of the home. By closing vents, it can create unwanted pressure within the system and cause duct leaks, system failure, and other problems.

If cold air is blowing from the vents, the heat pump is more than likely in defrost mode. This is normal if you don’t have a supplemental heating system. Defrost cycles normally last around 10-15 minutes and then the heat will kick back on.

When to Call Royal Heating & Air

You should give us a call when:

The outdoor unit isn’t running at all.
The thermostat isn’t working properly.
Ice or frost is still on the unit after a day.
You haven’t scheduled your annual heat pump maintenance.

Don’t get left out in the cold this winter, give the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks a call and schedule your heat pump tune-up today! If you have any questions about your furnace or heat pump, Royal Heating & Air would be glad to help.

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

Friday, November 10, 2017

Furnace 101

Now that the cold weather is here, it’s important to learn a thing or two about the magical machine that will provide our homes with heat and comfort during the long and cold winter days. The more you know about a furnace and how it works, the better you can troubleshoot it if something were to go wrong. Royal Heating & Air knows that understanding how your furnace works will help you troubleshoot your furnace and potentially avoid an expensive HVAC service call. While you may be able to quickly solve the problem on your own, sometimes you need your Lake of the Ozarks HVAC company to come fix the problem for you.

Welcome to Furnace 101

What is a Furnace?

The most common type of furnace is a gas-powered central air system. This means that air is heated in one area and is then distributed throughout the house through ductwork and vents. The main parts of your furnace are the control system (thermostat and electrical controls), gas valve, burners, heat exchanger, and duct and ventilation system.

Thermostat and Gas Valve

Your furnace starts working when it receives a signal from the thermostat that tells it to turn on. Depending on the temperature you choose, when the thermostat detects the air temperature dropping below the selected temperature, it activates the furnace. When the thermostat sends the signal to the furnace, the furnace gas valve opens and ignites the burner component beneath the combustion chamber. The gas valve and the thermostat work together to regulate the amount of gas that flows into your furnace.

If your gas valve is working fine, but the furnace isn’t turning on, check to make sure your pilot light is on. If your pilot light is out, you should refer to your manufacturer instructions or contact the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Heat Moves to Heat Exchanger

The flames from the burner component heat a metal exchanger. The heat circulates through the looped tubes of the heat exchanger, transferring the heat to air. This is a crucial step. If it’s not working, you won’t have any heat. A heat exchanger can also be dangerous if they develop any cracks or leaks. An efficient and well-maintained heat exchanger is essential for a working furnace. Combustion gases should be venting out of the house safely during the process of heating the heat exchanger.

Blower and Fan

As the heat circulates through the heat exchanger, the blower motor and fan moves the heat through the plenum and then through the rest of the ductwork in your home. That heat then flows through the vents in each room, which provide your home with warm air. Once enough heat has been generated, the thermostat will send a signal to turn off the furnace.

When there is a problem with your furnace, it is more than likely the control system, heat source, or the distribution system. No matter the problem, your Lake of the Ozarks HVAC company will be able to take care of it.

The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks understands how important it is to keep your home warm and comfortable during the winter months. Hopefully, with a little understanding of how your furnace system works, you will be able to troubleshoot the problem yourself or know early on that you need to give Royal Heating & Air a call. Don’t forget, annual fall furnace maintenance is important to keep your system running smoothly. If you haven’t yet, schedule yours today!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Get The Most Out Of Your Heating System This Winter

As the weather starts to get colder, we are reminded that winter is right around the corner. Chances are, your heating system gets a lot of use during the winter time. It’s important to keep your home cozy and comfortable as the temperatures continue to drop. Royal Heating & Air knows that a reliable furnace is vital during the winter months and it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to keep your house warm. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks has some steps you can take to maximize your heater’s efficiency. These tips will help drop your costs all while delivering the heat you want.

Schedule Professional Heating Maintenance

It’s important to schedule routine maintenance as soon as the summer comes to an end. During the warmer months when you don’t use your heater, it’s possible that dust and dirt have built up. Worn parts probably haven’t been replaced since the previous winter. A heating tune-up from your Lake of the Ozarks HVAC company can help fix all of the little problems, this helps reduce the strain on your heating system and lowers the amount of energy it uses to warm your home. When you get routine maintenance, your technician will also make sure dangerous combustions gases, such as carbon monoxide, are safely venting outside.

Change Filters and Bleed Radiator

You should set a reminder to check your air filter every 30 days. You shouldn’t wait more than 90 days to clean or replace it. When you put in a new filter, it’s a good idea to write the date of replacement on the filter itself so you know how long it’s been since you last replaced it. By regularly changing your filter, you will not only improve your home’s indoor air quality, but you will help reduce the strain on your HVAC system. You should also make sure that your vents are open and unobstructed.

If you have a radiator, don’t forget to “bleed” them at the beginning of every heating season. As soon as water starts coming out, close the valve and move on to the next one.

Seal Common Air Leaks

Seal common air leaks around your home to keep your heat inside. You’re not wanting to heat the whole neighborhood after all. The most common air leaks are usually found around windows and doors. The more air leaks you have, the harder and longer your heaters has to work to heat your house. The more your house is sealed, the warmer your house will stay.

Carbon Monoxide and Fire Protection

Besides scheduling your fall furnace maintenance, it’s important to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every 30 days to make sure they are working properly. Home fires and carbon monoxide poisoning increases during the colder months when we are constantly running our heating systems. You should have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home and outside every sleeping area.

Also, if you have a fireplace and chimney, don’t forget to get it inspected and cleaned every year. Creosote buildup in a chimney is a common cause of a home fire.

Consider Upgrades

Consider adding upgrades to your system to increase it’s efficiency as well as it’s versatility. If you have an older thermostat, you could replace it with a programmable or smart thermostat. You could also consider a zone control system. A zone control system lets you tailor the temperature to different areas of your home. This allows you to heat the parts of the house that you are in while leaving the rest be, this means the heater uses less energy. Fans can help you feel warmer by pushing the hot air that’s near the ceiling down to the living spaces below.

Royal Heating & Air wants you to know that high energy bills and discomfort don’t have to be part of the winter season. With a little planning, you can help reduce costs without decreasing the level of comfort in your home. If your furnace is needing fall maintenance or a tune-up, give the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks a call.

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313